If you are like me and have spousal design approval on everything in your home, then you are going to be interested in how you can hide your stereo gear and still use your remote controls. I have tried two different solutions, the $100 Hot Link Pro from MicroSmith and the $35 Next Generation Remote Control Extender which is sold by Amazon.com. What is the difference?
There are two different approaches. The NextGen replaces the batteries in your remote with their own rechargeable ones that also have an RF radio emitter. The Hot Link uses your existing remote controls. If you don’t have the ability to do everything with a single remote, then go with the Hot Link.
For another thing, the Hot Link works on my AT&T Uverse box, the NextGen doesn’t. NextGen comes with a single IR emitter – you have to buy an add-on to get more. Hot Link comes with six emitters for your different components. You position the sensor cable of the HotLink outside your equipment cabinet; the NextGen has an antenna and sits completely concealed. Neither have very detailed instruction manuals although I was able to get both working within a few minutes.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the tip – good one. Re: the IR emitters for either device, there’s a trick you used to have to do with the first-generation TiVO’s. Not sure how these new ones work, but if they’re similar…
In situations where the TiVO wasn’t compatible with your cable box’s serial port, there was an IR emitter from the TiVO. Channel changes would be made on the TiVO and passed on to the cable box. Sometimes it wouldn’t work due to light interference in the room. Glare or other IR devices, or who knows. Anyway, if you get that behavior with one of these, simply make a little paper or cardboard “hood” and tape it firmly over the IR emitter. In the old TiVO’s case, about 1″ high x .5″ wide x .5″ deep, open on one of the long sides. Tape the IR emitter to the device, then the hood on top of the emitter. It’ll keep stray light out.
Cheers,
Eric